Make gin, then name it yourself. This Aberdeen gin school in a railway-arch distillery turns you into a temporary distiller for a full 70cl bottle you craft to your own recipe, with a friendly double G&T welcome and plenty of tastings. It is hands-on, but still guided, so you are learning while you create.

I especially like the way the class is built around flavor choices. You sample multiple styles, build a recipe using premium organic alcohol, and then work through the distillation process with help from the Head Distiller. I also loved the real-world atmosphere, including the fact that you can hear trains rumble overhead while you work.

One consideration: the room is meant for aroma, so you should skip strong fragrance. They also note some standing spots, though seats are available throughout, so if you need to sit most of the time, plan on telling the team ahead.

Key things to know before you go

• Railway arch arrival (Arch #10): head straight to the entrance under the arches for easy check-in.
• Double G&T on arrival: you start tasting right away, not after a long lecture.
• 100+ botanicals to choose from: you can shape your gin with citrus and spice profiles.
• You distil a 70cl bottle to take home: you leave with the results, not just a souvenir.
• Guides Dan and Alan: two friendly instructors help you nail your recipe and enjoy the process.

Gin School in Aberdeen’s Railway Arch: What the Setting Feels Like

The first thing you notice is the location. You meet inside a railway arch, and this place has that working, industrial feel—plus the sound of trains moving overhead. It is not a quiet museum vibe. It is a real distillery workshop mood, the kind that makes the class feel practical and grounded.

The meeting point is simple: enter the railway arch marked Arch #10. If you are the type who likes to be early, showing up a few minutes ahead helps you get settled before the welcome drink starts.

And yes, you do get the full gin-school energy: samples, mixing, botanicals, and the moment when you finally bottle your creation. If you want a fun activity that still teaches you something real about flavor, this works.

Your Welcome Drink and the Taste-Taking You Do First

The experience kicks off with a double G&T when you arrive. That matters more than it sounds. You do not just learn theory first—you taste while you learn, so your palate becomes the tool you use for the rest of the session.

After the welcome, you begin sampling from a range of gins. You taste neat, then you get mixers for the styles you are trying. This is one of the best ways to understand how gin behaves: neat shows you the botanical punch, while mixers show how it relaxes and broadens on the tongue.

If you have never cared much about gin before, do not worry. The guides Dan and Alan are there to help you figure out what you like. The vibe is supportive, not intimidating.

How You Build Your Own Recipe (and Actually Make It)

This is the core of the class: you craft your very own Scottish Gin recipe, then you distil it. The base uses premium organic alcohol, and you pick from over 100 botanicals. That is a lot of choices for a two-hour experience, and the structure helps you make decisions without getting lost.

One botanical is singled out as a cornerstone: Macedonian juniper. That is important because juniper is the backbone of traditional gin. If you want your bottle to taste like gin in the first sip—rather than like a flavored spirit that happens to be gin—this helps keep your recipe anchored.

You also have access to fresh citrus and plenty of other botanicals. The class description mentions ingredients spanning styles and influences, from orange-like brightness to Asian spice warmth. Translation for you: you can steer your gin toward crisp, zesty, spicy, or more rounded depending on what you choose.

You will work with the Head Distiller as your guide through the process. The goal is not just to name a recipe—it is to make one that tastes the way you imagined. And because you are tasting throughout, you get immediate feedback. That is how you end up with something that feels truly yours.

From London Dry to Fruit Gin: Learning What Changes the Flavor

Part of what makes this gin school feel educational is the range you sample. You do not just try one bottle and move on. You get London Dry and fruit gin styles as reference points, and that helps you understand what shifts the flavor profile.

London Dry tends to be drier and more botanical-forward. Fruit gin leans into sweetness or fruit character, changing how the botanicals read on the palate. When you taste both, you start noticing things like:

• how juniper hits differently depending on the blend
• how citrus can brighten or soften the finish
• how fruit-forward choices can change how strong botanicals feel

You are also drinking during the session—there is more than one type of beverage flow, including Prosecco and a berry cocktail during the overall experience. That cocktail element matters too: it gives you a break from gin-only tasting while still keeping the party energy going.

This is a good setup if you want to learn without doing homework. You get flavor education built into the fun.

Distilling Your Bottle: The Practical Part That Feels Like Magic

The highlight is the moment you distil your own gin. You are guided through how to create your bottle using your chosen botanicals and the organic base, and then you bottle your final blend at the end.

I like this part because it is not just a demo. You are actively involved, which means you understand the process in a concrete way. You see how the choices you made with botanicals translate into aroma and taste once the distillation step is done.

Also, the session is paced for a two-hour timeframe. That is a big deal. Distilling can sound complicated, but here the structure keeps you moving: learn a bit, taste, make a choice, get help, repeat. For most people, that pacing is what turns a class into a win.

You also get plenty of advice during the build. The guides are hands-on—part teacher, part coach—so you do not end up stuck with a recipe you are not sure about. You leave feeling like you could do it again at home, even if you do not plan to build a full distillery setup.

Naming Your Gin and the Final Toast

When you finish your bottle, the fun does not stop at bottling. There’s a final creative moment: you need to name your gin. That sounds silly until you realize it is actually the last step of making your batch feel personal. Your bottle is no longer just a product. It is a creation with a story you help write.

Then you get a surprise cocktail to toast as you close out the experience. It is a nice way to round out the tasting arc: you start with double G&T, you spend the session shaping your gin, and you end with a final drink that ties the whole experience together.

That closing ritual is part of what makes the class feel like an event, not a process-only workshop.

Value for Money: What $190 Gets You (and What It Doesn’t)

Pricing is $190 per person for a 2-hour class, so you should think about value in three buckets: what you learn, what you drink, and what you take home.

What you learn is real-world gin craft. You are not just hearing facts about gin history. You get guidance on making a recipe and you taste multiple gin styles during the session so you can connect choices to outcomes.

What you drink is substantial. You get double G&T on arrival, samples throughout, and additional drinks during the class, including Prosecco and a berry cocktail. Non-alcoholic options like water and soft drinks are available too, so the tasting flow is not an all-or-nothing situation.

What you take home is the biggest value driver. You bottle your own gin and take home a 70cl bottle. If you were planning to buy gin anyway as a souvenir, this is often the difference between spending money and buying a story.

The only downside on value is the time. Two hours is tight. If you want deep, slow craftsmanship training, you might wish you had more time to experiment. But for most people looking for a standout Aberdeen experience, it is the right length.

Practical Tips: IDs, Fragrance, Drinks, and What to Bring

Bring passport or ID card. It is listed as required, and you do not want to lose time at check-in.

Avoid wearing strong fragrances. This is a real practical tip, not a rule for rules’ sake. Gin and botanicals rely on aroma, and perfumes can mask subtle notes (for you and for everyone else).

You should also think ahead about how you will carry the bottle home. The session ends with a sealed 70cl gin you made. If you are flying, check what your airline allows for alcohol in your baggage. If you’re road-tripping, plan the safest place for the bottle in your bag or trunk.

Good news for planning: there’s Wi-Fi included. So if you want to look up botanicals later, or message someone the bottle name you picked, you can.

And yes, you also get swag: drink mats, a distillery branded pen, and a postcard. These are small, but they feel like part of the experience package rather than random extras.

Accessibility and Comfort: Seats, Standing Areas, and Mobility Setup

The space is described as all on a single level with a dropped curb close to the property. There is a wheelchair WC available. That is exactly the kind of detail you want to hear before you go.

The gin-making bench is designed to accommodate additional mobility requirements, including wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The catch: places are limited, so it’s smart to contact the team ahead of time if you have specific needs.

Also note the class has some standing sections, but seats are available throughout. So if standing is hard for you, you likely can still manage comfortably—just aim for a seat early and be vocal about what you need.

Pets are not permitted in the distillery except guide dogs, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling with an animal.

Who This Gin School Is Perfect For (and Who Might Skip It)

You will likely love this if you:

• want a hands-on food or drink activity that feels personal
• like tasting different styles so you can build your own preference
• want a take-home gift that is not just a bottle from a shelf
• enjoy learning with a coach in the room

You might skip it if:

• you hate gin aromas or do not want to be around botanicals
• you dislike workshops with some standing areas (even if seats are available)
• you are mainly looking for a quiet, sightseeing-focused afternoon

This is best as a standalone plan or a highlight stop. It is not a rushed shopping errand. It is an experience built around flavor.

Should You Book the Aberdeen Gin School Experience?

If you want one of the most fun and memorable ways to spend a couple of hours in Aberdeen, I think this is a strong pick. The recipe building plus distilling plus the take-home 70cl bottle hits the sweet spot of learning and payoff.

The guides Dan and Alan help the class feel friendly and doable, even if you start knowing next to nothing about gin. Add the double G&T welcome, the steady tasting flow, and the chance to name your creation, and you end up with a story you can actually carry home in your bag.

If $190 per person feels like a splurge, treat it like a premium tasting experience with a souvenir that cost you would otherwise pay for in a shop. For the right person, it is not just worth it—it is exactly the kind of hands-on craft day you remember later.

FAQ

How long is the City of Aberdeen Distillery Gin School Experience?

The experience lasts 2 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Your booking includes a double G&T on arrival, samples of Aberdeen Gin, and your own 70cl bottle of Scottish Gin made to your recipe. You also get alcoholic drinks throughout, non-alcoholic alternatives, Wi-Fi, and swag (drink mats, a branded pen, and a postcard).

Do I need to bring ID?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The distillery is on a single level with a dropped curb close to the property, there is wheelchair WC available, and the gin-making bench can accommodate wheelchairs or mobility scooters (limited spots, so it’s a good idea to check ahead).

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. You can reserve your spot and pay nothing today, with payment handled later.

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